Watford FC offers cashback for supporter loyalty

LONDON - Watford FC is launching what it claims is the first cashback programme for football fans.

Watford season and fan card holders will automatically be registered onto the ClubCash scheme, operated with partners Reward and Fortress GB, when they make purchases at the club's ticket office and retail outlets.

ClubCash members can earn points by shopping at participating retailers, including JJB Sports, Halfords, Superdrug, HMV online, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.

Points can then be used to pay for goods within the stadium -- members can simply scan their card at the point of sale and the amount is automatically deducted from their account.

Michael Jones, head of venue and customer experience at Watford Football Club, said the aim of introducing ClubCash was to give something back to fans: "We hope that their normal lifestyle spend will go some way to contributing towards the cost of supporting their club, be it on season tickets, replica shirts or a hot dog on match day.

"It is our hope that this programme not only gives our fan base something for nothing, but the technology also provides them with faster service within the stadium creating a better atmosphere on match day."

Gavin Dein, founder and CEO of Reward, said: "With football becoming more and more expensive for supporters, it is great to be able to create a loyalty programme that actually allows fans to easily earn and redeem meaningful rewards."